List of top 8 worst Man Utd defenders

Manchester United is one of the most traditional clubs in English football with many big and small titles. However, not every player wearing the “Red Devils” shirt leaves a positive mark. Especially in defense, the team has witnessed many failed contracts. These defenders not only disappoint in terms of expertise but also put the home team at a higher risk of conceding goals every time they take the field. For football bettors, identifying weaknesses in defense is an important factor when choosing bets related to goals or cards. Below Kingsoccertips shares a list of 8 worst Man Utd defenders, who have become an obsession with fans.

Top 8 worst Man Utd defenders

Top 8: Gabriel Obertan

Gabriel Obertan joined Manchester United in 2009 from Bordeaux, hoping to bring versatility to the wing-backs. However, the Frenchman has been a huge disappointment due to his poor form and lack of creativity. Despite his pace, Obertan often lost possession and was unable to provide effective defensive support. In more than 2 years at Manchester United, he only played 28 matches and did not leave a significant mark.

In football betting, Obertan’s presence provides an opportunity to exploit “Over Goals” bets due to his poor defensive ability. Matches with Obertan on the pitch often see opponents exploiting the space on the flanks, creating scoring opportunities from counter-attacks. Players can consider bets such as “Corner Kick” for the opponent, “First Team to Score”, or “Over Goals for the Match” when he appears in the lineup.

Top 7: William Prunier

William Prunier is one of the worst signings in Manchester United’s history. The French defender joined the Red Devils on trial in 1995 but only played two games before being dropped from the squad. In the match against Tottenham, Prunier had a disastrous performance as he repeatedly made mistakes in his position and was unable to stop the opponents’ attacks. Manchester United lost 1-4, and that was also the last time Prunier played for this team.

For football bettors, an inexperienced defender like Prunier is a clear sign for bets related to goals conceded. When opponents have the opportunity to exploit individual mistakes, the “Over Goals” and “First Team to Score” bets become noticeable. At the same time, Prunier’s confusion also increases the possibility of fouls, opening up the opportunity to bet on “Over Cards”.

Top 6: Eric Djemba Djemba

Eric Djemba-Djemba joined Manchester United in 2003 from Nantes with the hope of replacing Roy Keane in defence. However, instead of becoming a reliable stopper, Djemba-Djemba disappointed with his clumsiness and lack of consistency. Despite his good physical strength, he often made mistakes in his position and handled the ball clumsily. His inaccurate passing ability and excessive fouls quickly caused him to lose his place in the first team.

In the field of football betting, the presence of Djemba-Djemba is an opportunity for players to take advantage of bets related to cards and goals. Matches with this player are often prone to mistakes leading to goals or unnecessary fouls. Players can consider betting on “Over cards”, “Over goals”, or “First team to score” for Manchester United’s opponents.

Refer to soccer tips to support odds analysis and accurate predictions for players.

Top 5: Phil Jones

Phil Jones joined Manchester United in 2011 for £16.5 million from Blackburn Rovers. Although Sir Alex Ferguson considered him the most promising centre-back in England, constant injuries and poor form have seen Jones’ career plummet. Poor judgement and frequent errors leading to goals are a common sight every time he takes the field.

From a betting perspective, Phil Jones’ presence is an opportunity to consider bets related to goals conceded or cards. Matches with Jones are more likely to see goals conceded from set pieces or individual errors. This allows players to bet on bets such as “Over Goals”, “Team to Score First”, or “Corner Kick” for the opposing team.

Top 4: Matteo Darmian

Matteo Darmian arrived at Old Trafford in 2015 from Torino for £12.7 million. Despite a promising start, the Italian defender gradually lost form and the trust of his coaches. Darmian’s biggest weaknesses are his limited ability to support attacks and his defensive mistakes. He often handles himself slowly against fast opponents, leading to situations where he is passed or commits unnecessary fouls.

In the context of football betting, Darmian’s appearance on the pitch is a signal to consider betting on goals and cards. Matches with Darmian on the pitch often record more fouls, creating opportunities for “Over Cards” or “Corners” bets. At the same time, the ability to leave space makes “Over Goals” bets more attractive.

Top 3: Alexander Büttner

Alexander Büttner was signed by Manchester United in 2012 as a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra. However, the Dutch defender quickly showed his limitations in both his defensive and attacking abilities. Despite his dynamism when pushing forward, his poor tackling and clumsy ball-handling skills meant that Büttner often made costly errors. His lack of experience in big matches made him an easy target for Manchester United’s defence.

Büttner’s presence on the pitch gave opposing teams an advantage, especially when attacking from the wings. For bettors, matches featuring this defender often saw many goals due to the defense being exposed too many gaps. This opens up the opportunity to bet on “Over Goals”, “First Team to Score”, or “Corners” for the opposing team.

Top 2: Marcos Rojo

Marcos Rojo joined Manchester United in 2014 for £16 million from Sporting Lisbon after an impressive performance at the 2014 World Cup. With his strong and determined playing style, Rojo was expected to strengthen the defense. However, a series of injuries and an undisciplined playing style have made the Argentine defender a burden. Poor judgment, frequent positional errors and rough tackles were prominent features during his time at the “Red Devils”.

For bettors, Rojo’s presence is an important factor when analyzing card and goal bets. Matches with Rojo on the field often have many dangerous fouls, increasing the possibility of receiving a yellow or red card. Players can take advantage of this to bet on “Over Cards”, “Player Receives Cards”, or “Over Goals” due to the unstable defense.

Top 1: Guillermo Varela

Guillermo Varela was David Moyes’ first signing when he joined Manchester United from Peñarol in 2013. He was expected to be a long-term option at right-back, but the Uruguayan never quite lived up to the demands of the Premier League. Despite his pace and energy, Varela lacked experience and composure in crucial situations. Positional errors and poor judgment often made him a target for opposing teams. During his time with the “Red Devils”, Varela only made 11 appearances and failed to make a significant impact.

Varel’s presence on the pitch made Manchester United’s defense more vulnerable. For football bettors, this was an opportunity to take advantage of bets related to goals conceded. Matches with Varela’s presence often had many goals, especially from wing-back situations. This opens up the possibility of betting on markets such as “Over Goals”, “Team to Score First” or Corners for the opposing team.

Final Thoughts

Although Manchester United are one of the greatest teams in England, they have not been short of defensive failures. Defenders like Varela, Rojo, and Phil Jones have all contributed to weakening the defense and disappointing fans. For football bettors, understanding these weaknesses is a good opportunity to bet on “Over Goals”, “Cards” and other side bets. When weak defenders are on the field, the team’s ability to concede goals increases, opening up many opportunities to gain an advantage in betting.

See more: Top 8 worst open goal misses in Premier League history